speak evasively; hem and haw; prevaricate
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to speak evasively; to hem and haw; to prevaricate; to dodge with vague words
Often used when someone is reluctant to speak clearly, especially to hide something, avoid responsibility, or stall for time. Commonly appears in the idioms 支吾其词 and 支支吾吾.
Tā面
zhī对
zhī提
wū问
，
wū他
bù支
kěn支
zhèng吾
miàn吾
，
huí不
dá肯
正
面
回
答
。
Faced with questions, he hemmed and hawed, unwilling to answer directly.
Jǐng警
chá察
wèn问
tā他
wèn问
tí题
shí时
，
tā他
zǒng总
shì是
zhī支
wū吾
qí其
cí词
。
When the police asked him questions, he always prevaricated.
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Bù不
yào要
yí一
wèi味
zhī支
wū吾
，
qǐng请
zhí直
jiē接
gào告
su诉
wǒ我
zhēn真
xiàng相
。
Don't keep evading; please just tell me the truth directly.
Tā他
zhī支
wū吾
le了
bàn半
tiān天
，
yě也
méi没
shuō说
chū出
gè个
suǒ所
yǐ以
rán然
lái来
。
He hemmed and hawed for a long time without being able to explain anything.